HomeRacing NewsRecord $49.9 Million Handled On Florida Derby Day At Gulfstream

Record $49.9 Million Handled On Florida Derby Day At Gulfstream

Gulfstream Park’s 67th running of the $1 million Xpressbet.com Florida Derby (G1), won by Audible by three lengths, generated a record total handle of $49,909,070.

The previous record for the highest single-day handle at Gulfstream excluding Breeders’ Cup was earlier this year on Pegasus World Cup Day when Horse of the Year Gun Runner won and fans wagered $41.9 million. Saturday’s handle was also a Florida Derby Day record, eclipsing the record in 2017 of $32.082 million.

Saturday’s handle, up 63.03 percent over last year’s Derby Day handle, was helped by a mandatory payout of the Rainbow 6 that generated a North American record $16,583,425 in new money and a total Pick 6 handle of $21.336 million. That eclipsed both records set Jan. 28 at Gulfstream when a total Pick 6 handle of $19.779 million was paid out and $15.788 million of new money was wagered.

“We want to thank the fans for making this such a truly special day,” said Gulfstream Park General Manager Bill Badgett. “We witnessed some incredible performances today by our equine athletes and jockeys. We want to thank the horsemen from North America and South America for supporting our program. The Stronach Group continues to reinvent the experience of attending Thoroughbred races for entertainment, dining and world-class racing. We will continue building on our customer service, dining and entertainment and on our year-round racing.”

Audible’s victory was a record fifth Florida Derby for trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey John Velazquez. They won last year’s Florida Derby with eventual Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Always Dreaming.